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July 07, 2009

Separating fact from fiction isn't easy

Clearly, the Mavericks are hot for Shawn Marion. Why else would there be a zillion reports out there that the teams have talked?

But it's not a done deal and could be one of those things that was leaked out for other purposes. You never know when a slick operator like Mark Cuban might be angling for a different fish in this year's free-agent pond.

A guy like Grant Hill makes more sense, in these eyes, than Marion. If there's not a quantum-leap difference in talent, I'll take the chemistry guy anytime over a player who has departed his last two teams on dicey terms.

But that should not be construed as a knock on Marion. A lot of so-called questionable characters have come to the Mavericks and succeeded, including Jerry Stackhouse and Nick Van Exel.

There's another advantage to Marion and that's that he's not priced out of the Mavericks' market. They tipped their hand a bit when they didn't go after Richard Jefferson or Vince Carter, both of whom were far more expensive than Marion will be.

Still not convinced that this deal is going to get done. But if it does, it's not the worst thing in the world. Can't give it my full endorsement yet, but it's not terrible, either. If it comes through, rest assured I'll make a definitive proclamation, just like I did with Jason Kidd a couple seasons back.